Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Resting

X-ray guided injections of cortisone went okay today. Jess was able to drive and I took a sick day off work. Had lots of injections starting with anesthetics and they hurt like hell but a bit like childbirth, once they were finished the pain diminished quickly. At one stage I was crying my eyes out and heard the "work experience" doctor suggest that perhaps a bigger or longer needle would work better. I actually told him to hush!

Caught up with a few blogs today - am down to 130 to be read. Cant comment because of time constraints but rest assured I am keeping up with you.

Stormy and rainy and hot tonight in Sydney. Off to bed.

Weight has not been good but could be the medication. No who am I kidding its the food and alcohol from the theatre/rugby weekend, the anniversary weekend and should continue with the friends moving back to Queensland weekend this weekend. After that it might settle down a bit. Here is hoping.

Enjoy your week everyone

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

A Time to rest

I have woken up this morning in a fog mentally. I didn’t have a bad night just up a couple of times and in bed a tad too late but if I was a car I’d say the engine was “missing”. It took me a few attempts to leave the house this morning – I kept forgetting things. I hate feeling like this.

Today I go to see the rheumatologist to get the results of the MRI on my left ankle.

Weight is still going down but the loss is slowing down and just noodling along.

Exercise has been negligible since the MRI as ankle has been sore but really that is not a good excuse. I did some weights but because I went to see “As You Like It” on Saturday (it was wonderful) I missed Pilates and because I went to the rugby afterwards and had a late night I missed swimming on Sunday. Excuses, excuses.

This weekend we are off to Kiama for the rugby 7’s. A yearly event that coincides with our anniversary – 34 years! I think the man should get a medal!

Going off at a tangent –

There is a sign at my gym that says something along the lines of losing weight is 80% what we eat and 20% exercise.

Which leads me to Biggest Loser.

The weight loses this week by the red team were abysmal. Is it because they are not eating wisely? You rarely see them eating and preparing their meals. The show focuses on them exercising etc. which if you believe the above statement on accounts for 20% of their weight loss journey. One lost under a kg this week. She is overweight, is in a place that she can focus on herself without worrying about life and she only loses 900g. Please. The others were not much better.

The guy on the blue team with a heart condition who can basically only walk is going great guns and losing weight consistently every week.

A theme is emerging in my mind.

And last but not least, still on BL – I laugh every time one of them goes on “the walk”. The others line the driveway of the house at Terrey Hills and one of them solemnly walks down the driveway and out the gates. Next they are at Bobbin Head walking along the boardwalk. I know it is all illusion and drama but I see these guys coming and going from Bobbin Head in their big black cars so there is not a lot of walking going on. Admittedly it is a far way between these places but I love the illusion that they are walking there. I guess if they were they would be walking for a couple of hours and not look as fresh as they do for filming especially if they really had to carry that rock all the way back again.

Have a good weekend everyone…


PS: Rheumatologist has said that r.a. is destroying my right ankle and I have to start back on the chemo drugs again. Guess I will be testing my theory about eating and little exercise. I am booked in for xray guided injection next week and then weekly injections plus a myriad of other drugs, hopefully the side effects wont be too horrible. I'm a bit weepy and cant believe this is happening. I guess I will never run again - even walking Lucy will be a problem. BUT onwards and upwards (actually that sounds a bit more upbeat than I actually feel at the moment).

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Well I'm back, sort of.........

I looked at Google Reader last night and saw that I have 170 unread posts to read. My God you guys are prolific.

I had a lovely relaxing Christmas and January. I did very little except try to whittle off the holiday weight gain and plan for 2008.

I had a small side trip to the Gold Coast to my girlfriend, husband in tow for 4 days in which we packed a lot of stuff. Many drinks and lots of food, a river cruise, the races, yum cha, bbqs. I dedicated the weight gain to her but in the end it only turned out to be 200g. I walked every morning and even inspired my girlfriend to take it up again. We now communicate regularly via email about our progress.

My plans for 2008 are:
Walk Lucy every day for at least 30 mins (she needs to trim down too). Rainy days I head for the gym and walk on the treadmill and Lucy misses out.
Lose those last 4 or 5 kilos.
Start the major renovations on my house finally
Help my son to move out of the house (yes he is still there – so much for needing two weeks accommodation 3 months ago)
Tone up my muscles

I have found a personal trainer I really like. The first one I tried nearly killed me. I could have told her I was a paraplegic and it would have made not one iota of difference. Sandra is perfect for me – listened to what I had to say, set up a weights program for me to be reviewed in 4 weeks time and made the whole session fun with lots of laughter.

I have a MRI scheduled for next week. My left ankle has swollen up incredibly over the last couple of months and the cortisone injections I had before Christmas only worked for a couple of weeks. The rheumotologist thinks it is arthritis but the MRI is just to check that something else hasn’t occurred. Hopefully another operation is not on the cards but if it is, it is.

Life is very hectic especially since I am trying to fit in exercise time. It would be a lot easier if I didn’t walk or swim or go to the gym and gave up pilates and yoga but after many many years of putting everyone else and their interests first I regard this stage of my life as mine. It may be selfish but I don’t care.

I’m not spending hours on the computer any more. I will try to read and comment when I can because I have become extremely fond of some of you and the support and friendship you have offered to me over the last couple of years has been phenomenal but life is moving on.

I’ll be in touch……